'Don't be a Money Mule, Don't fall for the Budol!'
Fake donation drives or Charity Fraud schemes can come in forms of a group of even a single person, that seek donations for ‘advocacies’ or ‘causes’ that don’t even exist. Instead, the money goes to the fake charity creators for them to freely use. While these can occur at any given point in time, they are very much prevalent disguised as high-profile disasters, worse, exploitation is the often strategy in these types of acts. – FBI
In 2020, in the midst of back-to-back disastrous typhoons---Ulysses & Rolly---did an influx of fake donation drive arised. With numerous reports, it has gotten to the attention of authorities such as NDDRMC and several organizations that cater these situations, one being Caritas manila.
Caritas manila addressed the situation and urged everyone to verify donation addresses or accounts that are falsely using the names of big organizations (Patinio, 2020). whilst taking advantage of these horrible occurances.
Even within the just and still recent COVID-19 Pandemic, they spare no one, no situation is basically ‘Even in the middle of a health crisis, fake donation drives and efforts on social media prey on generous donors’ (You can say that again). As the bayanihan spirit was in the air, so was the lurking leeches.
Some are even disguised as the person ‘currently experiencing’ the tragedic situations.
Along with these would be photos that don’t belong to them in the first place. Not even deadly moments stop them. In the light of the situation, at least not more than many and not too less to be few of people went around to spread and warn people of the circulating scam along with also listing and directing anyone who passes by to the OFFICAL links and donation donors that do the actual ‘Helping’.
In the middle of individuals and organizations quick to respond to the Filipinos in need, crowdfundings, online biddings to raise funds, and sharing inspiring stories; A facebook group called #AyudaPangEskwela has been reporting more than 10 fake accounts of groups and pages pretending to be them. But these hurdles didn’t stop them from being able to help more than 600 students with the raised 3 million pesos. (Rappler, 2020)
'Evil doesn’t discriminate, it just takes and takes and takes'
Notes:
Ulyesses Typhoon, At least 67 people died and thousands were affected by the storm that hit Luzon leaving several areas flooded including Metro Manila, Cagayan, and Isabela. The typhoon destroyed infrastructure amounting to over PHP8 billion and left some PHP1 billion agricultural damage. (Patinio, 2020)
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